House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 22 June 1644

Die Sabbati, Junii 22, 1644.

PRAYERS.

Master of St. Cross's Hospital.

RESOLVED, &c. That the Mastership of St. Cross's Hospital, with all the Advantages thereunto incident, shall be bestowed upon Mr. Lisle, a Member of this House: And that Mr. Whitlock do prepare, and bring in, an Ordinance to that Purpose.

Gloucester Garison, &c.

Resolved, &c. That Three thousand of the Four thousand Pounds to be paid by the Vintners, shall be paid to the Use of the Garison of Gloucester: And One thousand Pounds of the said Four thousand Pounds paid, upon Account, to the Lord Lisle, towards the Discharge of his Arrears.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for Gloucester to examine the Business concerning such French and Spanish Merchants, and others, as were Actors and Contrivers in the Wine Project, and especially such as have used compulsory Means to inforce the Vintners to take off their Wines: And that they shall have the same Power, as to the Merchants, in all respects, as they had by the former Order, in relation to the drawing Vintners: And that such Monies as shall arise upon this Business, shall be employed to the Advantage of the Garison of Gloucester.

Mr. Green, Mr. Vassall, and Mr. Rolle, are added to this Committee, as to this Business.

Army Affairs.

Ordered, That the Letter of June 21, 1644, directed to Sir Gilb. Gerard, concerning the Motions of the King's Army, this Day read, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of both Kingdoms.

Arms to Lord Grey.

Resolved, &c. That Two hundred Pair of Pistols, and an Hundred Carabines, shall be lent and furnished, by the Lieutenant of the Ordinance, to my Lord Grey, and repaid to the State out of my Lord Greye's Association.

Counties of Bucks, &c.

Sir Rob. Pye is appointed to carry up to the Lords, the Ordinance concerning the Counties of Bucks, Berks, and Oxon.

Scotch Forces.

Upon a Report from the Committee of both Kingdoms, made by Mr. Recorder, and the Reasons inducing; it was Resolved, &c. That the Forces already raised, and in raising, in the Kingdom of Scotland, (being, as is reported, about Ten thousand) be invited forthwith to come in for our Assistance.

Mr. Recorder is appointed to desire the Lords Concurrence in this Vote.

Navy.

Ordered, That in the Absence of the Lord Admiral, the Committee of the Navy shall have Power to direct the Ships now in the Service of the Parliament upon the North Coast, and in the Downs, in such Manner as, upon all Occasions, the Coasts may be guarded; and Fishermen and Traders may, with Safety and Security, go on with their Voyages: And that the Committee of the Navy do, from time to time, acquaint the Lord Admiral with their Doings herein.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Message to Lords.

Mr. Green is appointed to carry up this Order for the Lords Concurrence: And likewise the Ordinance for Ten thousand Pounds per Month, out of the Excise, to Sir Wm. Waller's Forces, &c.; The Ordinance for reimbursing the Commissioners of Excise Twelve thousand Three hundred Pounds, advanced by them towards the next Month's Pay of my Lord General's Army.

Scotch Forces.

Mr. Recorder brings Answer; That the Lords do concur with this House in the Vote carried up by him. concerning the inviting the Forces raised, and in raising, in the Kingdom of Scotland, forthwith to come in to our Assistance.

Ordered, That it be recommended to the Committee of both Kingdoms, speedily to signify unto the Forces of Scotland the Desires of both Houses, that the Forces already raised, and in raising, in the Kingdom of Scotland, being (as is reported) about Ten thousand, be invited forthwith to come in for our Assistance.

Excise.

Mr. Prideaux reports, from the Committee, certain Rules and Directions to be observed by the Commissioners of Excise, and the Auditors appointed for taking their Accounts.

Ordered, That the Committee for Excise do consider what Officers are employed by the Commissioners of Excise, in the several Counties and Places under the Command of the Office at London; what Salaries they do receive; and present a List of all to the House.

Answer from Lords.

Mr. Green brings Answer, That the Lords do agree to the Two Ordinances carried up by him, concerning the Monies to my Lord General, and to Sir Wm. Waller, out of the Excise.

Letter from Lord General.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edw. Leech and Dr. Aylett;

The Lords desire a Conference, by Committees of both Houses, presently, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, upon a Letter which they have received from my Lord General, directed to both Houses.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; That this House has considered their Lordships Message; and will give a present Meeting at a Conference, as is desired.

Mr. Holles, Mr. Recorder, Mr. Prideaux, Sir Arth. Hesilrig, are appointed Reporters of this Conference.

Sir Richard Holford.

Ordered, That Mr. Pelham do, on Monday Morning next, make Report of the Business concerning Sir Rick. Holford.

Military Affairs.

Mr. Holles reports the Confereuce of the Lords:

A Letter from my Lord General, directed to the Speakers of both Houses, (sans Date) was read; informing of his taking of Weymouth, Melcombe Regis, and Sandfoote Castle.

A Letter from the Governor of Lyme, of the 17th of June, was read, directed to his Excellency; acquainting him, that the Enemy still continues within Three or Four Miles.

A Vote of the Lords, upon these Letters, was presented, and read, in these Words:

"The Lords do conceive, that, in respect of the Reasons alleged by my Lord General, in his Letters to both Houses; and that he is now so far advanced into the West; and also, that the House of Commons have disposed of the Pay of the Armies suitable thereunto; that it is fit the Lord General should advance and follow those Advantages he hath, for the Recovery of the West, and preventing the Association of those Western Counties; and the Raising of Forces, and the Levying of Money, in those Parts."

Ordered, That the Debate of this Report of the Conference of the Lords be resumed again, and taken into Consideration, on Monday next: And Mr. Speaker is to put the House in mind thereof.

States Ambassadors.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Edw. Leich and Dr. Aylett;

That the Lords have sent down to this House Directions concerning the receiving of the States Ambassadors, and desire it may be speedily dispatched.

Which Paper was read, being in these Words:

"Resolved, &c. That it is the Opinion of the Committee, that Sir Oliver Fleming, Master of the Ceremonies, shall repair unto the States Ambassadors, to let them know, that the Houses do expect that they make their Demand of Audience in Writing; with which Writing if the Houses rest satisfied, it is the Opinion of the Committee, that Audience shall be given to the Ambassadors in each House apart."

Ordered, That the House approves of this Opinion of the Committee.

Advance from Excise.

Whereas John Towse Esquire, Alderman of the City of London, and the rest of the Commissioners of Excise and new Impost, have, for and towards the next Month's Pay of the Lord General's Army, advanced the Sum of Twelve thousand Three hundred Pounds, before the same, in the Course of the ordinary Receipts, could come in; Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the said Commissioners of Excise shall and may reimburse themselves of the said Twelve thousand Three hundred Pounds, or so much thereof as they shall disburse of their own Monies, out of the first Receipts and Income of the Excise; any other Ordinance or Ordinances whatsoever to the contrary in anywise notwithstanding: And the said Sum of Twelve thousand Three hundred Pounds is hereby ordained to be paid unto Sir Gilb. Gerard Knight, Treasurer at Wars, for the Use aforesaid; whose Receipt shall be a sufficient Discharge unto the said Commissioners of Excise.